Vipers, KCCA in tricky encounters as title race heats up

Title chasing rivals Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Vipers SC will renew their hunt for the 2018-2019 Uganda Premier league title when matchday 21 kicks off on Tuesday evening.

League leaders KCCA will host four-time league champions Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club (URA FC) while defending champions Vipers SC make the dreaded long trip to Arua to face a resurgent Onduparaka at the GreenLight Stadium.

KCCA host URA FC.

This was once, just an affair between the football departments of government authorities. However, this encounter seems to have out grown that comparison over the years as it has become one of the country’s biggest football wars.

URA have won four league titles, something which has grown their stock since they joined the top flight but they still have a long way if they are to overturn KCCA’s 12 domestic trophies. And on the rivalry between coaches Mike Mutebi and Sam Ssimbwa is another battle that will spice up the encounter.

However, KCCA go into the game with seeking three points if they are to enhance their chances of winning this season’s title especially since the slip up against Police last time out helped Vipers close the gap to just four points.

But to Mutebi, his biggest worry was not just the result or the way in which they gave away their early advantage as they drew 1-all, but the manner in which they were out-played by Police at their home ground despite being the away side.

URA and Ssimbwa on the other hand will be full of confidence after a 2-1 away win to Kirinya Jinja SS and will head into game with revenge on their mind after they lost 1-0 to KCCA in the first leg a game which saw their unbeaten run ended.

KCCA continue to be without defenders Bernard Muwanga and Filbert Obenchan while Herbert Achai will need a late fitness test to see if he can play. Gift Ali was howled off early as he looked to be laboring with pain as he was just coming back from injury.

URA on the other hand will miss the services of midfielder Siraje Ssentamu who was rushed to hospital after suffering a concussion in their last game.

Vipers travel to Onduparaka

Vipers will travel more than 300kms north of the country to take on Onduparaka FC, knowing only a win will be good enough as pursuit of the league title continues to gain momentum.

Battles between the two clubs started during the 2015/16 Uganda Cup finals and the fixture has seen increased influence in the league when the West Nile side joined the top flight.  This fixture marks the sixth time they are meeting.

Vipers commands numerical superiority over their bitter rivals with three wins, one draw and one loss out of the previous 5 meetings. But the Venoms will be looking to do a double over their hosts by picking up their maiden win and goal at the GreenLight Stadium after failing in the previous two visits to Arua.

However, Onduparaka also do habour their own ambitions as they need to maintain their winning momentum after picking up a resounding 2-1 win over Mbarara City in Kakyeeka, their first win over the side and consequentially their only win since the turn of the year.

Moses Waisswa has been left out of the match day squad again, but Tom Masiko, who was man of the match during the 3-0 win over Bright Stars has made the travelling squad. Yayo Lutimba and Bashir Mulondo will all miss out but Dan Sserunkuuma made the squad after earlier concerns about his fitness.

Ahead of this clash, the Venoms occupy second position on the 16 team league table having amassed 41 points while the Caterpillars lie sixth with 30, a whopping 11 points below the Venoms.